CASPER — A man known around town by the nickname “Tree Killer” who’s suspected of being a major trafficker of fentanyl and methamphetamine in central Wyoming faces three new felony charges.
William Roy McKinney, 43, of Mills, aka “Tree Killer,” had a preliminary hearing Monday, charged with one count of conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance and a count of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, both involving fentanyl.
He also faces a charge of taking a controlled substance or liquor into a correctional facility, allegedly smuggling fentanyl into jail in his rectum.
Court documents show that McKinney has been on the Wyoming Department of Criminal Investigation’s radar for several months as “a person of interest” in an ongoing effort to shut down the trafficking of fentanyl and methamphetamine into the Casper region from Colorado.
One confidential source March 4 alleged that “Tree Killer” was dealing fentanyl in the Natrona County area. DCI agents believed the source was referring to McKinney because of the “Tree Killer” tattoo on his neck.
In addition to the current charges, McKinney was arrested and charged with possession of fentanyl and meth in May and faces arraignment on those charges Aug. 13.
Court documents allege McKinney was in the Natrona County jail May 31 and called Michael Stevenson of Casper asking him to contact another person to bail him out.
Stevenson is awaiting a preliminary hearing on a charge of conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance. That hearing is set for Friday.
During the phone call, DCI agents allege the voice of Pamela Lynch yelled “Hi” to McKinney, because Stevenson was at her residence. Lynch has a change of plea hearing Aug. 13 in Natrona County District Court on a charge of conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance based on her actions from Nov. 12 through Dec. 15, 2023.
Drug Deal
On June 5, an out-of-jail McKinney was observed by DCI agents driving a pickup with Stevenson, and they met with another person in a Honda.
The driver of the Honda was stopped by Casper police and found with four fentanyl pills. DCI got a search warrant for the suspect’s phone, who was referred to as “confidential source four,” or CS4, in the court document.
Phone records revealed information consistent with the sale of narcotics from Stevenson to CS4, the affidavit states.
DCI agents on June 11 determined that McKinney, driving the same pickup, traveled to Colorado the day before. Then on June 12, a confidential source told DCI that McKinney traveled to Colorado every week, sometimes three times a week, to pick up a “boat,” or 1,000 fentanyl pills.
Court documents state the source told DCI they had observed McKinney with a “boat” of pills and had received fentanyl from McKinney at his Mills’ residence.
DCI obtained a search warrant to place a tracking device on McKinney’s vehicle. On June 15, DCI tracked the vehicle to Denver, where agents believed he picked up fentanyl and meth for distribution in Natrona County.
On June 17, McKinney’s vehicle was tracked to the Fort Collins area, and then returned and visited Stevenson’s Casper address. A June 21 interview with a confidential source revealed the source had received fentanyl from McKinney that week, the affidavit states.
The source also reported that Andrew Oglietti was staying at McKinney’s place and redistributing the fentanyl.
Both the conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance with intent to deliver charge and the possession of a controlled substance charge are punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of not more than $10,000 or both.
The charge of taking a controlled substance or liquor into a correctional facility if punishable by up to three years in prison and a fine of $3,000 or both.
Bond was set at $50,000.
Andrew Rossi can be reached at arossi@cowboystatedaily.com.
